Dharamsala student’s death: Court extends interim bail of prof, 3 others

The District and Sessions Judge of Kangra at Dharamsala, Chirag Bhanu Singh, on Friday extended the interim bail of an assistant professor and three women students till February 17, when final arguments and orders on their anticipatory bail pleas will be heard in connection with a Dharamsala college student’s death.

The assistant professor had moved an anticipatory bail application on January 2 after an FIR was lodged at the Dharamsala police station under Sections 75, 115(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009. Subsequently, three women students named in the FIR also approached the Sessions Court seeking similar relief.

During the hearing, the investigating officer submitted a status report detailing progress in the probe. The report included findings of a medical board on the victim’s death, though specifics were not disclosed in court. Forensic and cyber experts also presented data retrieved from the victim’s mobile phone.

The police have conducted a narco-analysis test on the assistant professor as part of the investigation.

Before her death, the student recorded a video statement from her hospital bed, alleging inappropriate behaviour by the assistant professor, including persistent following, objectionable remarks and physical misconduct.

The case has been marked by procedural lapses. No post-mortem or DNA sampling was conducted after the victim’s death on December 26, six days after the FIR was registered on December 20.